Home / TV / Ssharad Malhotra: I do not regret my past relationship! Ssharad Malhotra is all excited to play the ‘star crossed’ Rishi Bedi in Kasam…Tere Pyaar Ki. The actor who is a self-confessed romantic is thrilled to be a part of an intense love story. Excerpts from an interview

Ssharad Malhotra: I do not regret my past relationship! Ssharad Malhotra is all excited to play the ‘star crossed’ Rishi Bedi in Kasam…Tere Pyaar Ki. The actor who is a self-confessed romantic is thrilled to be a part of an intense love story. Excerpts from an interview

Ssharad Malhotra is all excited to play the ‘star crossed’ Rishi Bedi in Kasam…Tere Pyaar Ki. The actor who is a self-confessed romantic is thrilled to be a part of an intense love story. Excerpts from an interview

Love, life and romance…here is the Kasam actor sharing everything close to his heart!

It is four pm in the evening and Ssharad Malhotra has taken a break from rehearsing his lines for his new show, Kasam…Tere Pyaar Ki. Dressed in a tight white T-shirt and denims, he’s dressed as the 23-year-old Rishi Bedi, who in Ssharad’s words is a ‘star-crossed lover’. The actor’s is super busy but he has time to make you comfortable before starting the interview. In a free-wheeling chat, he talks work, love and why he will always respect his ex, Divyanka Tripathi.

After a historical like Maharana Pratap, what made you take up a romantic fictional show?

For a long time, we did not have a good intense mature love story on TV. Kasam is about a couple who have a fault in their stars or you can say, star crossed. Love is priceless. It is a universal emotion and one that goes beyond life and death. Two people love each other deeply as friends in childhood and grow up to love each other. What follows is a lot of twists and turns. I am doing a fictional show after 10 years. You can connect with people with a love story and everyone identifies with love. I liked the story so far. Moreover, Kasam had Ekta Kapoor and Colors on board. It is a strong creative team with some intelligent people on board. A good character, an interesting story and a good team, I could not ask for more.

I had to reduce my weight a lot to look like a 23-year-old. I am definitely not that young (laughs). I had to come across as more energetic. I worked out a lot in the gym. I have a dietitian who helps me with my diet. I built up a lot of muscle for Maharana Pratap. I have always worked on my body for my characters. My weight keeps on fluctuating. Also, I changed my look to resemble my character of a 20-something brought up in the US. I streaked my hair a bit to come across as this cool Punjabi desi munda. I hope people like Rishi as the show progresses.

Kasam replaces Meri Aashiqui Tumse Hi, which is one of most-loved romantic sagas of recent times. Does that put extra pressure on you?

They are two totally different shows with varied themes. Yes, the two are love sagas. However, the characters are totally different. We have a different set of actors with a varied style of acting. Love is a universal emotion and people who loved MATSH should also like our show. I would tell all the viewers to watch our serial as the characters are pretty believable. Give us a chance and we will do our best not to let you down.

Kasam has started off on a superstitious note. Do you believe in the stars?

Well, I think maybe somewhere. I come from Kolkata where I know people who believe in kaal, dosh and astrology. Personally, I am not a rigid believer in all this. I am sure there is something called destiny. There is a moment that changes your life and people say it’s your ‘stars’. Some people term it as astro-science. Learned people are writing about it. I believe in destiny and perhaps a bit in kaal and dosh. Coming from an urban background, I feel it’s nice to strike a balance.

How is Kratika Sengar as a co-star?

We have hardly done any scenes together. She is very chilled-out and laughs continuously. There is a great chemistry on the sets. I know her from before. She is totally fun-loving, has no preconceived notions and is a thorough professional. We are having a good time.

How are you managing the show and your cricket team, Kolkata Babumoshayees?

Arre…it is not easy. We shoot for 12-13 hours daily and then I go and practice. I try to be with the team as much as possible. We have a pushy owner in Nivedita Basu (laughs). She is behind us to play well and practice hard. I am trying to take out as much time as possible for BCL.

Are you a romantic at heart?

Absolutely…It is just that my character, Rishi Bedi does not believe in love. I feel life is very dull without love. It becomes totally black and white. We need that emotion called love in whatever space be it with parents, friends, fiancée or girlfriend. I have been fortunate to be in love for a really long time and hope to find it again soon. I have met a number of interesting and nice people recently (smiles) but work is my priority now. However, I hope things sail smoothly and a lot of love pours in from both sides.

Do you ever regret your past relationship?

No. I have never had regrets be it in my personal or professional life. I have been very happy as a person. Touch wood.

Rapid fire

Favourite romantic film of all time…

Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge

Trait I love in a woman…

Loyalty and lack of pretense…she has to be herself.

Perfect romantic setting…

It would be by the beach – a nice candle light dinner with red wine and yummy food.

Best break-up advice…

There are a lot of fishes in the sea

Celebrity crushes…

I have a crush on Deepika Padukone from a really long time. She is intelligent, beautiful and simply fantastic. I also adore Audrey Hepburn. However, my ‘longest time’ crush is on Marilyn Monroe. The sight of her with that iconic white dress is unforgettable.